Fourths to thomas j



(No Model.)

B. LANE.

FIRE KINDLER.

No. 594,024. Patented Nov. 23. 1897 n Eda/mi 6m wzymsszs I [WE/V7073 m:"CHRIS PETERS 00., PHOTO-L'|TNB., wAsmxcn'uN, u. c.

NITED STATES PATENT other.

EDWVIN LANE, OF J OHNSTOWN PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF THREE- FOURTHS TOTHOMAS J. FEARL, OF SAME PLACE.

FIRE-KINDLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 594,024, dated November23, 1897.

Application filed January 27, 1897. Serial No. 620,951. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN LANE, a citizen.

of the United States of America, residing at Johnstowu, in the county ofCambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Fire-Kindlers; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and toletters of reference marked thereon, which forms a part of thisspecification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements infire-kindlers; and it consists more particularly in the construction ofthe handle, which is provided with a support and an absorbent block, aswill be hereinafter set forth, and specifically pointed out in theclaims.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated my device by aperspective View.

A refers to an absorbent block preferably cut from a species of poroussandstone found in the State of Pennsylvania near Philadelphia, whichstone I have found to be especially adapted to the use I make of thesame, as it is very absorbent, is not materially effected by fire, andcan be readily cleaned by heating. It is also easily cut and is notfragile. Practical use has shown that the same is a superior article forthe purpose. In order to adapt the stone to my use, it is cut intorectangular blocks and recessed at its ends.

13 refers to the frame of the fire kindler or torch, and said frame ismade up from a single piece of wire, upon the center of which is placeda metal handle 0, having a longitudinal aperture through which the wireis passed. Said wire is then bent adjacent to the ends of the handle 0,brought together and twisted upon itself for a suitable distance, theterminal portions thereof extending outwardly, and are further bent, asshown, the ends projecting toward each other for engagement with therecesses in the ends of the block. It will be noted that the sidemembers of the frame are bent at a point between the block and thetwists in the straight section thereof.

D refers to asupport or rest for the frame,

used for many purposes-for instance, as a .torch-though it is intendedprimarily as a fire-kindler, and when used as such it is placed beneaththe grate of a stove, a pair of the supports resting upon thestove-bottom beneath the grate, while the handle rests upon the shelfthereof, and when so used the metal handle will overbalance the weightof the stone, the rests serving as a fulcrum.

It will be noted that the projecting ends of the rest or support onopposite sides of the frame are of different lengths, which admits ofthe stone being held at different heights, according to the distance thegrate is from the bottom of the stove or fireplace. If desirable,'afurther reduction of the height at which the absorber may be held can bemade by bending the supports.

Should it be desired at any time to remove the stone absorbenthesupports may be forced toward the handle and the ends of the framesprung out of the recesses.

To use the device, the stone or absorber is dipped in oil, and whensufficient has been absorbed it is'lighted and the kindler or torch isplaced under the grate. A fire may thus be readily started without theuse of paper or kindling-wood. WVhen the oil is burned out, it leavesupon the stone a coating of soot or carbon, and it is desirable afteruse that the device should be hung up until again required. When thesame is suspended from a nail or hook, thelegs of the support willholdthe block away from the wall.

In manufacturing the kindler the wires of the support are notched orindented, not so as to Weaken the same, but sufficient to provide forremoving by bending or breaking a section therefrom.

It is obvious that the device may be cheaply roo manufactured, it beingsimple in construction.

end, and engage with a porous block at the other end, of a support orrest D, made up of two pieces which engage with each other and with thediverging end members of the frame, the terminals of the wires D,projecting in opposite directions, substantially as shown and for thepurpose set forth., 1-11 testimony whereof I affix my in presence of twowitnesses.

EDWIN LANE.

signatu re lVitnesses:

FREDERICK MILLER, JACOB Ri SHARRETTZ.

